Hollywood star Will Smith is reportedly in talks to star in Sony Pictures' upcoming project Resistor, following the success of his recent blockbuster Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is being developed under the banner of Escape Artists and is based on Daniel Suarez's 2014 novel Influx, a New York Times bestseller.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the novel centres around a clandestine government agency that incarcerates inventors in a secret facility to exploit their innovations.
As of now, the project is in its early stages, with no director attached. Screenwriter Zak Olkewicz, known for his work on Bullet Train, penned the initial draft, while Academy Award-nominated writer Eric Warren Singer, recognized for his contributions to 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'American Hustle,' has taken on the latest iteration.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the production boasts a stellar lineup of producers, including Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Tony Shaw, and Dave Wilson, alongside Smith's own production company Westbrook and Jon Mone.
Executive producer Heather Washington is also on board.
Smith's collaboration with Todd Black has been notably successful in the past with Sony Pictures, having worked together on films like Seven Pounds, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Emancipation.
This news arrives on the heels of Smith's triumphant return to the top tier of box office success with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which has crossed the USD 100 million mark domestically just 10 days after its release, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film, co-starring Martin Lawrence, is the fourth installment in the action-comedy franchise that began with 1995's Bad Boys.
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Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he praises Abhishek publicly but not Jaya or Aishwarya
Quick highlights:
Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.